Byram and Plante both took part in the search for Owen. Plante provided drinks and any help needed in the search.

"We are here to help, always. We are a tight knit community," Plante wrote.

Byram did what she could to help spread the word for volunteers via Facebook.

"Many of our families who could, went out to join the search," Byram commented. "I was able to be with Owen's mom for a little while on Saturday, and was very glad she had some friends who had already arrived to be with her."

Drawn to Water

There have been mentions since Owen's case that autistic children are often drawn to water. Byram and Hager both provided an explanation as to why.

"We speculate that some like the pressure of the water on them or maybe it is the shininess of the reflections. Some don't like to get their clothes wet, but they still like the water," Byram wrote.

Hager added, "Children with ASD often wander toward water, because water is soothing and interesting, not unlike children who are neurotypical and may go toward water. However, a child with ASD may not have the self help or safety skills that a neurotypical peer may have."

Swimming lessons are available for children with autism. Parents can contact Autism Society of Alabama for help in locating an instructor.

Two suggestions mentioned during the discussion was the Prattville YMCA in Montgomery and Bodenhamer Center in Gulf Shores.

Traveling

jgraham421 is the mother of an almost 3-year-old diagnosed at 27 months with autism. She asked about traveling with her autistic child.

The National Autism Association has a toolkit to help parents on their website. Suggestions included temporary alarms and sewing or ironing on parent's information.

Project Lifesaver, Take Me Home, A Child is Missing

There are several tools available to parents and law enforcement agencies for when a child goes missing.

Project Lifesaver uses a bracelet or ankle bracelet to help locate the child. However, it is not available everywhere.

In his reporting of the Owen Black story, Thyrie Bland learned that Mercy Medical manages Project Lifesaver in Mobile and Baldwin Counties. There is a $10 service fee.

"Many of our children will not tolerate the bracelet that is required for Project Lifesaver. Take Me Home is another tool," she wrote. "Take Me Home started because we told law enforcement that we don't just keep our kids at home!"

Take Me Home is a database that can provide instant information and a photo to law enforcement. It is available through the Pensacola Police Department to any law enforcement agency.

A Child is Missing is another option. It is a Fort Lauderdale-based non-profit organization founded in 1997. In 2012, only 93 agencies in Alabama used A Child is Missing.

Keeping the Conversation Going

"I think parents know that we need a system for searching for lost children who have ASD and Owen's tragic death reminded us to take this issue to our communities and leaders," Hager wrote.

There is a meeting to discuss Project Lifesaver and Take Me Home on June 18 in Gulf Breeze, Florida. It will be held at the Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church Soundside Campus at 6 p.m. Childcare will be offered with reservations.

If you would like to ask questions of Anna McConnell or Bama Hager, you can call 205-651-1364 or 1-877-4Autism. You can also click their name to email them.